The Green Bay Packers wide receiver would like to return soon. His doctor has other things in mind.

"We don't really see eye to eye," Jennings said Monday. "But I don't think any player and doc are on the same page when it comes to an injury any time you have to sit out."

Jennings says he's pain-free and is still aiming to return. When? That's unknown. On Nov. 1, he had surgery to clean up what his doctor, William Meyers, is calling a "core muscle injury." The plan was for Jennings to run at full speed three weeks after surgery. The Packers play at the New York Giants on Nov. 25 and host the Minnesota Vikings Dec. 2.

He has a timetable in mind but didn't want to share it yet. Overall, Jennings is hoping to be back for the stretch run.

"Everyone's been great not putting me on (injured reserve) and giving me an opportunity to come back," Jennings said. "So my goal is to get back out there and perform. Our goal, I should say, is to get me back out there. So I'm going to get back out there."

In the meantime, wide receivers Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and James Jones have gotten into a groove through Green Bay's four-game winning streak. There may be no need to rush Jennings back. Nelson, who left Green Bay's 31-17 win over Arizona before the bye week with an ankle injury, returned to practice Monday.

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Originally, Jennings and the Packers were under the impression that this was a groin injury. That's where the pain was concentrated. Then the pain began to spread.

"That's when the questions came and the red flags went up that this could potentially be that core muscle injury," Jennings said. "And so with that, we looked into it further and he said 'Absolutely, this is what you have. A torn abdominal. An abdominal tear.' Fixed it. Feel good. I want to play some football this year."

Yes, it is frustrating that they didn't know exactly what the injury was at first. But Jennings hasn't felt pain-free like this since the fourth quarter of Green Bay's season-opening loss to San Francisco. He's getting closer. After sneaking in a brief workout, Jennings is waiting for a full green light.

Bryan Bulaga is out for the year. Nelson returned. As for the status of the third player injured in Green Bay's last game, outside linebacker Clay Matthews remains unknown. Last week, McCarthy said Matthews would be out "a couple weeks" with a hamstring injury.

Matthews planned to go through more rigorous rehab Monday so McCarthy said he'd have a better idea Wednesday. He's confident in the team's depth at the position. In addition to Erik Walden, Dezman Moses and Frank Zombo, the team filled Bulaga's roster spot with a familiar face in Vic So'oto.

"I feel very good about it," McCarthy said. "It's the most depth we've had. I don't know exactly where Clay is, but we have four and when Clay comes back we'll have five. That's part of the reason why, with Vic being available, why we brought him back."

McCarthy wouldn't rule Matthews out for Sunday's game at Detroit, saying "we'll see what happens." If he is unable to play, it'd be a big loss for a defense ranked second in sacks.

Matthews has a team-high nine sacks and consistently created opportunities for others.

"Clay is a playmaker whether he's actually making a play or freeing someone else up to make a play," Moses said. "You can't really substitute that. We're going to miss him. I'm sure everybody else will step up and do what they have to do. That's what the team is about."

On the bright side, several Packers players returned to practice Monday. Cornerback Sam Shields (ankle), Jerel Worthy (concussion) and fullback John Kuhn (hamstring) all participated in the portion of practice open to the media. Tight end Andrew Quarless and tackle Derek Sherrod also practiced. The Packers have two weeks to activate Sherrod or place him on injured reserve. Also, defensive end Mike Neal did not practice Monday.

In the locker room Monday, inside linebacker Desmond Bishop says he's past any stage of anger or disappointment. As the first of seven Packers players placed on injured reserve, he's been trying to stay upbeat.

"I'm a firm believer in positive energy," Bishop said. "When you get hurt, you have to think positive. You don't want anything negative around you to slow down the healing process."

The Packers are on their third player at the position, of course. D.J. Smith was also lost for the year. Now, it's Brad Jones at inside linebacker next to A.J. Hawk. Bishop said Jones is "doing good." When Jones received reps at middle linebacker on the scout team as a rookie, Bishop thought he fit in well. Still, there's some pop missing in Green Bay's defense overall.

With Charles Woodson (collarbone) out for a while and the status of Matthews (hamstring) uncertain, the Packers' defense is missing arguably its three top playmakers from last season. The trio combined for 11 sacks, 10 interceptions and six forced fumbles last season. That's not easy to replace.

Bishop expressed confidence in others making such momentum-changing plays.

"I think guys just have to step up and take on that role," Bishop said. "And I think they will. The coaches do a good job of putting guys in those kinds of positions. So I think right now it's up to the guys to just follow through."

Bishop estimated that he'll be close to 100% by February. He is rehabbing about three hours a day. And, no, he doesn't have any problems rewinding the play that ended his season in the exhibition opener. "It's motivation," he repeated. Bishop is hoping to return a stronger, improved player.

"I kind of have a longer off-season to get physically and mentally in better shape," Bishop said. "Hopefully that transfers over to the field next year."

So'oto, he of 2011 preseason fame, is back. After signing an injury settlement with the Packers in early September and spending one month with the Oakland Raiders, the second-year outside linebacker has returned to Green Bay.

After a banner training camp in 2011, So'oto was lost in the shuffle this summer. At least for now, he'll get another shot.

With the Raiders, So'oto needed to learn how to play in a 4-3 defense. Now he's back in a familiar 3-4.

"I think that's kind of what my skill set is," So'oto said. "Setting edges and getting after the quarterback. So hopefully I can contribute."